Sunday 14th January 2018 Kick off 1600hrs Liverpool v Manchester City Football – England – Premier League The destination of the league title doesn’t appear to be much in doubt as Manchester City have opened up a 15 point lead over the chasing pack, led by Manchester United. Liverpool – who would have harboured some hopes of challenging for the title – are currently in fourth, a further three points behind. It means that Sunday’s game is unlikely to have any impact on who finishes top but nevertheless the clash between the two is one of the most attractive of the calendar. The Reds will be out for revenge as well having been thumped 5-0 in the reverse game.
The big news surrounding Liverpool in the past week has centred around matters off the field as opposed to on it, with the departure of star man Philippe Coutinho for an astronomical fee. The Brazilian playmaker will no doubt be missed but the move was always likely to happen when the Catalan giants made it clear they were interested, the unfortunate thing for Jurgen Klopp is that it has happened mid-season as opposed to the summer. Whether Liverpool look to replace Coutinho at the moment or at the end of the season but the fans will demand that the money from the transfer fee is reinvested. To matters on the field and it was another victory for Klopp and his players as they seen off rivals Everton 2-1 in the third round of the FA Cup. The biggest story to come out of that was the winning goal being scored by Virgil Van Dijk – the recent £75m signing from Southampton. Van Dijk was signed for his quality at the other end but he’s also capable of chipping in with a few goals as he proved last week. Sunday’s game against City will be a test of his defensive qualities more than anything else, though.
City had to overcome an early scare against Championship outfit Bristol City in the first leg of their League Cup semi final on Tuesday. The Premier League leaders went a goal behind in the first half before equalising and then scoring in injury time to take a 2-1 lead to Ashton Gate a week on Tuesday. It was the second cup win of the week for Pep Guardiola’s men having dispatched Burnley 4-1 in the FA Cup last weekend. Back to league matters this Sunday and another chance to assert their undoubted superiority over their rivals and taking a massive step towards winning the title for the first time since 2014. City remain unbeaten domestically, of course, but that record will be tested against a Liverpool team in really good form currently. Guardiola has stated that his team will be unable to go through the league season without losing such is the competitive nature of the Premier League but there will be some thought to it now we’re past the halfway stage. It came under threat in their last league outing against Crystal Palace, though, and they will have to perform better to prolong it after their trip to Anfield.
Liverpool v Manchester City Betting Tip
This is a clash between the two most prolific teams in the Premier League with a combined total of 105. The fact that City have scored 14 more than the second highest scorers illustrates just how dominant they have been this term and the quality they possess in the forward areas, led by Sergio Aguero who is in tremendous form with six goals in his last six games. Liverpool will be depleted without Coutinho but he would have been injured for this game no matter so preparations would have been without him. Klopp can also call on plenty of creativity and firepower, particularly Mo Salah who will return to the team after missing the cup win over Everton. The Egyptian forward has been excellent since moving to Liverpool in the summer and only Harry Kane has scored more.
I mentioned the previous meeting between these two back in September and although the 5-0 score line was deserved in the end, it looked like being a much more competitive affair before Saido Mane was controversially sent off. City ran riot from there but it was a good indication for what has since happened in terms of how ruthless the league leaders can be. Liverpool come into this one on the back of four straight wins – only the second time they have managed that this season. It will give them confidence but they will have to be at their best if they are to be the first English team to defeat City this season. For the visitors it will be business as usual and having already won away to Manchester United and Chelsea this season, they will be looking for success at another of their rivals and lay down a marker for the remainder of the season. This one promises goals and I think we’ll get them. Both teams to score and over 2.5 goals is the selection.
Both teams to score and Over 2.5 goals 3/4 @ Coral
